Direct file transfer between subscribers of a communications system

ABSTRACT

Systems and techniques for transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system by connecting from the first client to a communications system host; sending, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client; when the second client accepts the request, establishing a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and transferring a file over the direct connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 09/597,784, filed on Jun. 19, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to transferring files betweensubscribers of a communications system.

BACKGROUND

Online service providers are constantly offering new services andupgrading existing services to enhance their subscribers' onlineexperience. Subscribers have virtually on-demand access to news,weather, financial, sports, and entertainment services as well as theability to transmit electronic messages and to participate in onlinediscussion groups. For example, subscribers of online service providerssuch as America Online or CompuServe may view and retrieve informationon a wide variety of topics from servers located throughout the world. Aserver may be maintained by the service provider or by a third partyprovider who makes information and services available through theworldwide network of computers that make up the online service.

America Online has provided subscribers with the ability to send andreceive instant messages. Instant messages are private onlineconversations between two or more people who have subscribed to theinstant messaging service and have installed the necessary software.Because such online conversations take place virtually in real time,instant messaging can provide immediate access to desired information.Instant messaging is becoming a preferred means of communicating amongonline subscribers.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a file is transferred from a first clientassociated with a first subscriber to a communications system to asecond client associated with a second subscriber to the communicationssystem by connecting from the first client to a communications systemhost; sending, through the communications system host, a request to thesecond client to establish a direct connection to the second client;when the second client accepts the request, establishing a directconnection to the second client that bypasses the communications systemhost; and transferring a file over the direct connection.

Implementations may include authenticating the request by thecommunications system host. The second client may accept the requestbased on indicated preferences of the second subscriber. The directconnection may be initiated by the second client. The direct connectionmay be established using an IP address of the second client. A graphicaluser interface may be displayed indicating that a direct connection tothe second client is established. The communications system host may bean instant messaging host. The file may comprise a data file, a textfile, a graphics file, an audio file, and/or a video file. The directconnection may be a socket connection.

In another general aspect, a file is transferred from a first clientassociated with a first subscriber to a communications system to asecond client associated with a second subscriber to the communicationssystem by connecting from the second client to a communications systemhost; receiving, through the communications system host, a request fromthe first client to establish a direct connection; accepting the requestfrom the first client; establishing a direct connection to the firstclient that bypasses the communications system host; and receiving afile over the direct connection.

Implementations may include authenticating the request by thecommunications system host. The request may be accepted based onindicated preferences of the second subscriber. The second client mayinitiate the direct connection. The direct connection may be establishedby the first client using an IP address of the second client. Agraphical user interface may be displayed indicating that a directconnection to the first client is established. The communications systemhost may be an instant messaging host. The file may be a data file, atext file, a graphics file, an audio file, and/or a video file. Thesecond client may receive an indication that the first subscriber usingthe first client is composing a message and then may receive the messagecomposed by the first subscriber from the first client. The directconnection may be a socket connection.

Aspects of the present invention may be implemented by an apparatusand/or by a computer program stored on a computer readable medium. Thecomputer readable medium may comprise a disc, a client device, a hostdevice, and/or a propagated signal.

In another general aspect, a first client associated with a firstsubscriber to a communications system communicates with a second clientassociated with a second subscriber to the communications system byconnecting from the second client to a communications system host;establishing a direct connection to the client that bypasses thecommunications system host; receiving an indication that the firstsubscriber using the first client is composing a message; and receivingthe message composed by the first subscriber from the first client.

The indication may be a text message and/or an icon. The communicationssystem host may be an instant messaging host.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, including the drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system.

FIGS. 2-6 are expansions of the block diagram of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7-9 are flow charts of communications methods.

FIGS. 10-16 are illustrations of different graphical user interfaces.

DESCRIPTION

For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1-6 describe a communications systemfor implementing techniques for transferring files between subscribersof an instant messaging host complex. For brevity, several elements inthe figures described below are represented as monolithic entities.However, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, theseelements each may include numerous interconnected computers andcomponents designed to perform a set of specified operations and/ordedicated to a particular geographical region.

Referring to FIG. 1, a communications system 100 is capable ofdelivering and exchanging data between a client system 105 and a hostsystem 110 through a communications link 115. The client system 105typically includes one or more client devices 120 and/or clientcontrollers 125. For example, the client system 105 may include one ormore general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers), one or morespecial-purpose computers (e.g., devices specifically programmed tocommunicate with each other and/or the host system 110), or acombination of one or more general-purpose computers and one or morespecial-purpose computers. The client system 105 may be arranged tooperate within or in concert with one or more other systems, such as forexample, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”) and/or one or moreWANs (“Wide Area Networks”).

The client device 120 is generally capable of executing instructionsunder the command of a client controller 125. The client device 120 isconnected to the client controller 125 by a wired or wireless datapathway 130 capable of delivering data.

The client device 120 and client controller 125 each typically includesone or more hardware components and/or software components. An exampleof a client device 120 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personalcomputer) capable of responding to and executing instructions in adefined manner. Other examples include a special-purpose computer, aworkstation, a server, a device, a component, other equipment or somecombination thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions.An example of client controller 125 is a software application loaded onthe client device 120 for commanding and directing communicationsenabled by the client device 120. Other examples include a program, apiece of code, an instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system,or a combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructingthe client device 120 to interact and operate as described herein. Theclient controller 125 may be embodied permanently or temporarily in anytype of machine, component, equipment, storage medium, or propagatedsignal capable of providing instructions to the client device 120.

The communications link 115 typically includes a delivery network 160making a direct or indirect communication between the client system 105and the host system 110, irrespective of physical separation. Examplesof a delivery network 160 include the Internet, the World Wide Web,WANs, LANs, analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks(e.g. PSTN, ISDN, or xDSL), radio, television, cable, satellite, and/orany other delivery mechanism for carrying data. The communications link115 may include communication pathways 150, 155 that enablecommunications through the one or more delivery networks 160 describedabove. Each of the communication pathways 150, 155 may include, forexample, a wired, wireless, cable or satellite communication pathway.

The host system 110 includes a host device 135 capable of executinginstructions under the command and direction of a host controller 140.The host device 135 is connected to the host controller 140 by a wiredor wireless data pathway 145 capable of carrying and delivering data.

The host system 110 typically includes one or more host devices 135and/or host controllers 140. For example, the host system 110 mayinclude one or more general-purpose computers (e.g., personalcomputers), one or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devicesspecifically programmed to communicate with each other and/or the clientsystem 105), or a combination of one or more general-purpose computersand one or more special-purpose computers. The host system 110 may bearranged to operate within or in concert with one or more other systems,such as, for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”) and/orone or more WANs (“Wide Area Networks”).

The host device 135 and host controller 140 each typically includes oneor more hardware components and/or software components. An example of ahost device 135 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personalcomputer) capable of responding to and executing instructions in adefined manner. Other examples include a special-purpose computer, aworkstation, a server, a device, a component, other equipment or somecombination thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions.An example of host controller 140 is a software application loaded onthe host device 135 for commanding and directing communications enabledby the host device 135. Other examples include a program, a piece ofcode, an instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system, or acombination thereof, for independently or collectively instructing thehost device 135 to interact and operate as described herein. The hostcontroller 140 may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type ofmachine, component, equipment, storage medium, or propagated signalcapable of providing instructions to the host device 135.

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication system 200 including a client system205 communicating with a host system 210 through a communications link215. Client system 205 typically includes one or more client devices 220and one or more client controllers 225 for controlling the clientdevices 220. Host system 210 typically includes one or more host devices235 and one or more host controllers 240 for controlling the hostdevices 235. The communications link 215 may include communicationpathways 250, 255 enabling communications through the one or moredelivery networks 260.

Examples of each element within the communication system of FIG. 2 arebroadly described above with respect to FIG. 1. In particular, the hostsystem 210 and communications link 215 typically have attributescomparable to those described with respect to host system 110 andcommunications link 115 of FIG. 1. Likewise, the client system 205 ofFIG. 2 typically has attributes comparable to and illustrates onepossible embodiment of the client system 105 of FIG. 1.

The client device 220 typically includes a general purpose computer 270having an internal or external storage 272 for storing data and programssuch as an operating system 274 (e.g., DOS, Windows™, Windows 95™,Windows 98™, Windows 2000™, Windows NT™, OS/2, or Linux) and one or moreapplication programs. Examples of application programs include authoringapplications 276 (e.g., word processing, database programs, spreadsheetprograms, or graphics programs) capable of generating documents or otherelectronic content; client applications 278 (e.g., AOL client,CompuServe client, AIM client, AOL TV client, or ISP client) capable ofcommunicating with other computer users, accessing various computerresources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electroniccontent; and browser applications 280 (e.g., Netscape's Navigator orMicrosoft's Internet Explorer) capable of rendering standard Internetcontent.

The general-purpose computer 270 also includes a central processing unit282 (CPU) for executing instructions in response to commands from theclient controller 225. In one implementation, the client controller 225includes one or more of the application programs installed on theinternal or external storage 252 of the general-purpose computer 250. Inanother implementation, the client controller 225 includes applicationprograms externally stored in and performed by one or more device(s)external to the general- purpose computer 270.

The general-purpose computer typically will include a communicationdevice 284 for sending and receiving data. One example of thecommunication device 284 is a modem. Other examples include atransceiver, a set-top box, a communication card, a satellite dish, anantenna, or another network adapter capable of transmitting andreceiving data over the communications link 215 through a wired orwireless data pathway 250. The general- purpose computer 270 also mayinclude a TV (“television”) tuner 286 for receiving televisionprogramming in the form of broadcast, satellite, and/or cable TVsignals. As a result, the client device 220 can selectively and/orsimultaneously display network content received by communications device284 and television programming content received by the TV tuner 286.

The general-purpose computer 270 typically will include an input/outputinterface 288 for wired or wireless connection to various peripheraldevices 290. Examples of peripheral devices 290 include, but are notlimited to, a mouse 291, a mobile phone 292, a personal digitalassistant 293 (PDA), a keyboard 294, a display monitor 295 with orwithout a touch screen input, and/or a TV remote control 296 forreceiving information from and rendering information to subscribers.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates devices such as a mobile telephone 292, aPDA 293, and a TV remote control 296 as being peripheral with respect tothe general-purpose computer 270, in another implementation, suchdevices may themselves include the functionality of the general-purposecomputer 270 and operate as the client device 220. For example, themobile phone 292 or the PDA 293 may include computing and networkingcapabilities and function as a client device 220 by accessing thedelivery network 260 and communicating with the host system 210.Furthermore, the client system 205 may include one, some or all of thecomponents and devices described above.

Referring to FIG. 3, a communications system 300 is capable ofdelivering and exchanging information between a client system 305 and ahost system 310 through a communication link 315. Client system 305typically includes one or more client devices 320 and one or more clientcontrollers 325 for controlling the client devices 320. Host system 310typically includes one or more host devices 335 and one or more hostcontrollers 340 for controlling the host devices 335. The communicationslink 315 may include communication pathways 350, 355 enablingcommunications through the one or more delivery networks 360.

Examples of each element within the communication system of FIG. 3 arebroadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular,the client system 305 and the communications link 315 typically haveattributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems105 and 205 and communications links 115 and 215 of FIGS. 1 and 2.Likewise, the host system 310 of FIG. 3 may have attributes comparableto and illustrates one possible embodiment of the host systems 110 and210 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

The host system 310 includes a host device 335 and a host controller340. The host controller 340 is generally capable of transmittinginstructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 335. Forexample, in one implementation, the host controller 340 includes one ormore software applications loaded on the host device 335. However, inother implementations, as described above, the host controller 340 mayinclude any of several other programs, machines, and devices operatingindependently or collectively to control the host device 335.

The host device 335 includes a login server 370 for enabling access bysubscribers and routing communications between the client system 305 andother elements of the host device 335. The host device 335 also includesvarious host complexes such as the depicted OSP (“Online ServiceProvider”) host complex 380 and IM (“Instant Messaging”) host complex390. To enable access to these host complexes by subscribers, the clientsystem 305 includes communication software, for example, an OSP clientapplication and an IM client application. The OSP and IM communicationsoftware applications are designed to facilitate the subscriber'sinteractions with the respective services and, in particular, mayprovide access to all the services available within the respective hostcomplexes.

Typically, the OSP host complex 380 supports different services, such asemail, discussion groups, chat, news services, and Internet access. TheOSP host complex 380 is generally designed with an architecture thatenables the machines within the OSP host complex 380 to communicate witheach other and employs certain protocols (i.e., standards, formats,conventions, rules, and structures) to transfer data. The OSP hostcomplex 380 ordinarily employs one or more OSP protocols and customdialing engines to enable access by selected client applications. TheOSP host complex 380 may define one or more specific protocols for eachservice based on a common, underlying proprietary protocol.

The IM host complex 390 is generally independent of the OSP host complex380, and supports instant messaging services irrespective of asubscriber's network or Internet access. Thus, the IM host complex 390allows subscribers to send and receive instant messages, whether or notthey have access to any particular ISP. The IM host complex 390 maysupport associated services, such as administrative matters,advertising, directory services, chat, and interest groups related tothe instant messaging. The IM host complex 390 has an architecture thatenables all of the machines within the IM host complex to communicatewith each other. To transfer data, the IM host complex 390 employs oneor more standard or exclusive IM protocols.

The host device 335 may include one or more gateways that connect andtherefore link complexes, such as the OSP host complex gateway 385 andthe IM host complex gateway 395. The OSP host complex gateway 385 andthe IM host complex 395 gateway may directly or indirectly link the OSPhost complex 380 with the IM host complex 390 through a wired orwireless pathway. Ordinarily, when used to facilitate a link betweencomplexes, the OSP host complex gateway 385 and the IM host complexgateway 395 are privy to information regarding the protocol typeanticipated by a destination complex, which enables any necessaryprotocol conversion to be performed incident to the transfer of datafrom one complex to another. For instance, the OSP host complex 380 andIM host complex 395 generally use different protocols such thattransferring data between the complexes requires protocol conversion byor at the request of the OSP host complex gateway 385 and/or the IM hostcomplex gateway 395.

Referring to FIG. 4, a communications system 400 is capable ofdelivering and exchanging information between a client system 405 and ahost system 410 through a communication link 415. Client system 405typically includes one or more client devices 420 and one or more clientcontrollers 425 for controlling the client devices 420. Host system 410typically includes one or more host devices 435 and one or more hostcontrollers 440 for controlling the host devices 435. The communicationslink 415 may include communication pathways 450, 455 enablingcommunications through the one or more delivery networks 460. As shown,the client system 405 may access the Internet 465 through the hostsystem 410.

Examples of each element within the communication system of FIG. 4 arebroadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. In particular, theclient system 405 and the communications link 415 typically haveattributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems105, 205, and 305 and communications links 115, 215, and 315 of FIGS.1-3. Likewise, the host system 410 of FIG. 4 may have attributescomparable to and illustrates one possible embodiment of the hostsystems 110, 210, and 310 shown in FIGS. 1-3, respectively. However,FIG. 4 describes an aspect of the host system 410, focusing primarily onone particular implementation of OSP host complex 480. For purposes ofcommunicating with an OSP host complex 480, the delivery network 460 isgenerally a telephone network.

The client system 405 includes a client device 420 and a clientcontroller 425. The client controller 425 is generally capable ofestablishing a connection to the host system 410, including the OSP hostcomplex 480, the IM host complex 490 and/or the Internet 465. In oneimplementation, the client controller 425 includes an OSP applicationfor communicating with servers in the OSP host complex 480 usingexclusive OSP protocols. The client controller 425 also may includeapplications, such as an IM client application, and/or an Internetbrowser application, for communicating with the IM host complex 490 andthe Internet 465.

The host system 410 includes a host device 435 and a host controller440. The host controller 440 is generally capable of transmittinginstructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 435. Forexample, in one implementation, the host controller 340 includes one ormore software applications loaded on one or more elements of the hostdevice 435. However, in other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 440 may include any of several other programs, machines,and devices operating independently or collectively to control the hostdevice 435.

The host system 410 includes a login server 470 capable of enablingcommunications with and authorizing access by client systems 405 tovarious elements of the host system 410, including an OSP host complex480 and an IM host complex 490. The login server 470 may implement oneor more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to theOSP host complex 480 and the IM host complex 490. The OSP host complex480 and the IM host complex 490 are connected through one or more OSPhost complex gateways 485 and one or more IM host complex gateways 495.Each OSP host complex gateway 485 and IM host complex gateway 495 mayperform any protocol conversions necessary to enable communicationbetween the OSP host complex 480, the IM host complex 490, and theInternet 465.

The OSP host complex 480 supports a set of services from one or moreservers located internal to and external from the OSP host complex 480.Severs external to the OSP host complex 480 generally may be viewed asexisting on the Internet 465. Servers internal to the OSP complex 480may be arranged in one or more configurations. For example, servers maybe arranged in large centralized clusters known as farms 4802 or inlocalized clusters known as pods 4804.

Farms 4802 are groups of servers located at centralized locations withinthe OSP host complex 480. Farms 4802 generally are dedicated toproviding particular functionality and services to subscribers andclients from a centralized location, regardless of the location of thesubscriber or client. Farms 4802 are particularly useful for providingservices that depend upon other processes and services for information,such as, for example, chat, email, instant messaging, news, newsgroups,search, stock updates, and weather. Thus, farms 4802 tend to rely onconnections with external resources such as the Internet 465 and/orother servers within the OSP host complex 480. To reduce the time delaysand congestion inherent in centralized processing, some services offeredby the OSP host complex 480 are provided from localized servers,generally known as pods 4804. Each pod 4804 includes one or moreinterrelated servers capable of operating together to provide one ormore services offered by the OSP host complex 480 in a geographicallylocalized manner, the servers within a pod 4804 generally operatingindependently rather than relying on resources external to the pod 4804to operate. A pod 4804 may cache content received from external sources,such as farms 4802 or the Internet 465, making frequently requestedinformation readily available to local subscribers served by the pod4804. In this way, pods 4804 are particularly useful in providingservices that are independent of other processes and servers such as,for example, routing, keywords, and downloading certain software andgraphical interface updates with reduced processing time and congestion.The determination of which servers and processes are located in the pod4804 is made by the OSP according to load distribution, frequency ofrequests, demographics, and other factors.

In addition to farms 4802 and pods 4804, the implementation of FIG. 4also includes one or more non-podded servers 4806. In general, thenon-podded server 4806 may be dedicated to performing a particularservice that relies on other processes and services for information andmay be directly or indirectly connected to resources outside of the OSPhost complex 480, such as the Internet 465 and the IM host complex 490,through an OSP gateway 4808. In the event that subscriber usage of theparticular service is relatively high, the non-podded server 4806 may beincluded in a farm.

In the implementation of FIG. 4, a pod 4810, shown in more detail,includes a routing processor 4812. In a packet-based implementation, theclient system 405 may generate information requests, convert therequests into data packets, sequence the data packets, perform errorchecking and other packet-switching techniques, and transmit the datapackets to the routing processor 4812. Upon receiving data packets fromthe client system 405, the routing processor may directly or indirectlyroute the data packets to a specified destination within or outside ofthe OSP host complex 480. In general, the routing processor 4812 willexamine an address field of a data request, use a mapping table todetermine the appropriate destination for the data request, and directthe data request to the appropriate destination.

For example, in the event that a data request from the client system 405can be satisfied locally, the routing processor 4812 may direct the datarequest to a local server 4814 in the pod 4810. In the event that thedata request cannot be satisfied locally, the routing processor 4812 maydirect the data request internally to one or more farms 4802, one ormore other pods 4804, or one or more non-podded servers 4812 in the OSPhost complex 480 or may direct the data request externally to theInternet 465 or the IM host complex 490 through an OSP/pod gateway 4816.

The routing processor 4812 also may direct data requests and/orotherwise facilitate communication between the client system 405 and theInternet 465. In one implementation, the client system 405 uses an OSPclient application to convert standard Internet content and protocolsinto OSP protocols and vice versa. For example, when a browserapplication transmits a request in standard Internet protocol, the OSPclient application can intercept the request, convert the request intoan OSP protocol and send the converted request to the routing processor4812 in the OSP host complex 480. The routing processor 4812 recognizesthe Internet 465 as the destination and routes the data packets to an IP(“Internet Protocol”) tunnel 4818. The IP tunnel 4818 converts the datafrom the OSP protocol back into standard

Internet protocol and transmits the data to the Internet 465. The IPtunnel 4818 also converts the data received from the Internet in thestandard Internet protocol back into the OSP protocol and sends the datato the routing processor 4812 for delivery back to the client system405. At the client system 405, the OSP client application converts thedata in the OSP protocol back into standard Internet content forcommunication with the browser application.

The IP tunnel 4818 may act as a buffer between the client system 405 andthe Internet 465, and may implement content filtering and time savingtechniques. For example, the IP tunnel 4818 can check parental controlssettings of the client system 402 and request and transmit content fromthe Internet 465 according to the parental control settings. Inaddition, the IP tunnel 4818 may include a number a caches for storingfrequently accessed information. If requested data is determined to bestored in the caches, the IP tunnel 4818 may send the information to theclient system 405 from the caches and avoid the need to access theInternet 465.

In another implementation, the client system 405 may use standardInternet protocols and formatting to access the pod 4810 and theInternet 465. For example, the subscriber can use an OSP TV clientapplication having an embedded browser application installed on theclient system 405 to generate a request in standard Internet protocol,such as HTTP (“HyperText Transport Protocol”). In a packet-basedimplementation, data packets may be encapsulated inside a standardInternet tunneling protocol, such as, for example, UDP (“User DatagramProtocol”) and routed to a web tunnel 4820. The web tunnel 4820 may be aL2TP (“Layer Two Tunneling Protocol”) tunnel capable of establishing apoint-to-point protocol (PPP) session with the client system 405. Theweb tunnel 4820 provides a gateway to the routing processor 4812 withinthe pod 4810, the Internet 465, and a web proxy 4822.

The web proxy 4822 can look up subscriber information from the IPaddress of the client system 405 to determine the subscriber's parentalcontrols settings and other demographic information. In this way, theweb proxy 4822 can tailor the subscriber's content and user interfaces.The web proxy 4822 can also perform caching functions to store certainURLs (“Uniform Resource Locators”) and other electronic content so thatthe web proxy 4822 can locally deliver information to the client system405 and avoid the need to access the Internet 465 in the event that datarequested by the client system 405 has been cached.

Referring to FIG. 5, a communications system 500 is capable ofdelivering and exchanging information between a client system 505 and ahost system 510 through a communication link 515. Client system 505typically includes one or more client devices 520 and one or more clientcontrollers 525 for controlling the client devices 520. Host system 510typically includes one or more host devices 535 and one or more hostcontrollers 540 for controlling the host devices 535. The communicationslink 515 may include communication pathways 550, 555 enablingcommunications through the one or more delivery networks 560. As shown,the client system 505 may access the Internet 565 through the hostsystem 510.

Examples of each element within the communication system of FIG. 5 arebroadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. In particular, theclient system 505 and the communications link 515 typically haveattributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems105, 205, 305, and 405 and communications links 115, 215, 315, and 415of FIGS. 1-4. Likewise, the host system 510 of FIG. 5 may haveattributes comparable to and illustrates one possible embodiment of thehost systems 110, 210, 310, and 410 shown in FIGS. 1-4, respectively.However, FIG. 5 describes an aspect of the host system 510, focusingprimarily on one particular implementation of IM host complex 590. Forpurposes of communicating with the IM host complex 590, the deliverynetwork 560 is generally a telephone network.

The client system 505 includes a client device 520 and a clientcontroller 525. The client controller 525 is generally capable ofestablishing a connection to the host system 510, including the OSP hostcomplex 580, the IM host complex 590 and/or the Internet 565. In oneimplementation, the client controller 525 includes an IM application forcommunicating with servers in the IM host complex 590 utilizingexclusive IM protocols. The client controller 525 also may includeapplications, such as an OSP client application, and/or an Internetbrowser application for communicating with the OSP host complex 580 andthe Internet 565, respectively.

The host system 510 includes a host device 535 and a host controller540. The host controller 540 is generally capable of transmittinginstructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 535. Forexample, in one implementation, the host controller 540 includes one ormore software applications loaded on one or more elements of the hostdevice 535. However, in other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 540 may include any of several other programs, machines,and devices operating independently or collectively to control the hostdevice 535.

The host system 510 includes a login server 570 capable of enablingcommunications with and authorizing access by client systems 505 tovarious elements of the host system 510, including an OSP host complex580 and an IM host complex 590. The login server 570 may implement oneor more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to theOSP host complex 580 and the IM host complex 590. The OSP host complex580 and the IM host complex 590 are connected through one or more OSPhost complex gateways 585 and one or more IM host complex gateways 595.Each OSP host complex gateway 585 and IM host complex gateway 595 mayperform any protocol conversions necessary to enable communicationbetween the OSP host complex 580, the IM host complex 590, and theInternet 565.

To access the IM host complex 590 to begin an instant messaging session,the client system 505 establishes a connection to the login server 570.The login server 570 typically determines whether the particularsubscriber is authorized to access the IM host complex 590 by verifyinga subscriber identification and password. If the subscriber isauthorized to access the IM host complex 590, the login server 570employs a hashing technique on the subscriber's screen name to identifya particular IM server 5902 for use during the subscriber's session. Thelogin server 570 provides the client system 505 with the IP address ofthe particular IM server 5902, gives the client system 505 an encryptedkey (i.e., a cookie), and breaks the connection. The client system 505then uses the IP address to establish a connection to the particular IMserver 5902 through the communications link 515, and obtains access tothat IM server 5902 using the encrypted key. Typically, the clientsystem 505 will be equipped with a Winsock API (“Application ProgrammingInterface”) that enables the client system 505 to establish an open TCPconnection to the IM server 5902.

Once a connection to the IM server 5902 has been established, the clientsystem 505 may directly or indirectly transmit data to and accesscontent from the IM server 5902 and one or more associated domainservers 5904. The IM server 5902 supports the fundamental instantmessaging services and the domain severs 5904 may support associatedservices, such as, for example, administrative matters, directoryservices, chat and interest groups. In general, the purpose of thedomain servers 5904 is to lighten the load placed on the IM server 5902by assuming responsibility for some of the services within the IM hostcomplex 590. By accessing the IM server 5902 and/or the domain server5904, a subscriber can use the IM client application to view whetherparticular subscribers (“buddies”) are online, exchange instant messageswith particular subscribers, participate in group chat rooms, tradefiles such as pictures, invitations or documents, find other subscriberswith similar interests, get customized news and stock quotes, and searchthe Web.

In the implementation of FIG. 5, the IM server 5902 is directly orindirectly connected to a routing gateway 5906. The routing gateway 5906facilitates the connection between the IM server 5902 and one or morealert multiplexors 5908, for example, by serving as a link minimizationtool or hub to connect several IM servers to several alert multiplexors.In general, an alert multiplexor 5908 maintains a record of alerts andsubscribers registered to receive the alerts.

Once the client system 505 is connected to the alert multiplexor 5908, asubscriber can register for and/or receive one or more types of alerts.The connection pathway between the client system 505 and the alertmultiplexor 5908 is determined by employing another hashing technique atthe IM server 5902 to identify the particular alert multiplexor 5908 tobe used for the subscriber's session. Once the particular multiplexor5908 has been identified, the IM server 5902 provides the client system505 with the IP address of the particular alert multiplexor 5908 andgives the client system 505 an encrypted key (i.e., a cookie). Theclient system 505 then uses the IP address to connect to the particularalert multiplexor 5908 through the communication link 515 and obtainsaccess to the alert multiplexor 5908 using the encrypted key.

The alert multiplexor 5908 is connected to an alert gate 5910 that, likethe IM host complex gateway 595, is capable of performing the necessaryprotocol conversions to form a bridge to the OSP host complex 580. Thealert gate 5910 is the interface between the IM host complex 590 and thephysical servers, such as servers in the OSP host complex 580, wherestate changes are occurring. In general, the information regarding statechanges will be gathered and used by the IM host complex 590. However,the alert multiplexor 5908 also may communicate with the OSP hostcomplex 580 through the IM gateway 595, for example, to provide theservers and subscribers of the OSP host complex 580 with certaininformation gathered from the alert gate 5910.

The alert gate 5910 can detect an alert feed corresponding to aparticular type of alert. The alert gate 5910 may include a piece ofcode (alert receive code) capable of interacting with another piece ofcode (alert broadcast code) on the physical server where a state changeoccurs. In general, the alert receive code installed on the alert gate5910 instructs the alert broadcast code installed on the physical serverto send an alert feed to the alert gate 5910 upon the occurrence of aparticular state change. Upon detecting an alert feed, the alert gate5910 contacts the alert multiplexor 5908, which in turn, informs theclient system 505 of the detected alert feed.

In the implementation of FIG. 5, the IM host complex 590 also includes asubscriber profile server 5912 connected to a database 5914 for storinglarge amounts of subscriber profile data. The subscriber profile server5912 may be used to enter, retrieve, edit, manipulate, or otherwiseprocess subscriber profile data. In one implementation, a subscriber'sprofile data includes, for example, the subscriber's buddy list, alertpreferences, designated stocks, identified interests, and geographiclocation. The subscriber may enter, edit and/or delete profile datausing an installed IM client application on the client system 505 tointeract with the subscriber profile server 5912.

Because the subscriber's data is stored in the IM host complex 590, thesubscriber does not have to reenter or update such information in theevent that the subscriber accesses the IM host complex 590 using new ora different client system 505. Accordingly, when a subscriber accessesthe IM host complex 590, the IM server 5902 can instruct the subscriberprofile server 5912 to retrieve the subscriber's profile data from thedatabase 5914 and to provide, for example, the subscriber's buddy listto the IM server 5902 and the subscriber's alert preferences to thealert multiplexor 5908. The subscriber profile server 530 also maycommunicate with other servers in the OSP host complex 590 to sharesubscriber profile data with other services. Alternatively, user profiledata may be saved locally on the client device 505.

Referring to FIG. 6, a communications system 600 is capable ofdelivering and exchanging information between a client system 605 and ahost system 610 through a communication link 615. Client system 605typically includes one or more client devices 620 and one or more clientcontrollers 625 for controlling the client devices 620. Host system 610typically includes one or more host devices 635 and one or more hostcontrollers 640 for controlling the host devices 635. The communicationslink 615 may include communication pathways 550, 555 enablingcommunications through the one or more delivery networks 660.

Examples of each element within the communication system of FIG. 5 arebroadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. In particular, theclient system 605 and the communications link 615 typically haveattributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems105, 205, 305, 405 and 505 and communications links 115, 215, 315, 415and 515 of FIGS. 1-5. Likewise, the host system 610 of FIG. 6 may haveattributes comparable to and illustrates one possible embodiment of thehost systems 110, 210, 310, 410 and 510 shown in FIGS. 1-5,respectively. However, FIG. 6 describes an aspect of the host system610, focusing primarily on one particular implementation of IM hostcomplex 690. For purposes of communicating with the IM host complex 690,the delivery network 660 is generally a telephone network.

The client system 605 includes a client device 620 and a clientcontroller 625. The client controller 625 is generally capable ofestablishing a connection to the host system 610, including the IM hostcomplex 690. In one implementation, the client controller 625 includesan IM application for communicating with servers in the IM host complex690 utilizing exclusive IM protocols.

The host system 610 includes a host device 635 and a host controller640. The host controller 640 is generally capable of transmittinginstructions to any or all of the elements of the host device 635. Forexample, in one implementation, the host controller 640 includes one ormore software applications loaded on one or more elements of the hostdevice 635. However, in other implementations, as described above, thehost controller 640 may include any of several other programs, machines,and devices operating independently or collectively to control the hostdevice 635.

The host system 610 includes a login server 670 capable of enablingcommunications with and authorizing access by client systems 605 tovarious elements of the host system 610, including the IM host complex690. The IM host complex 690 includes an IM server network 6902 and analert multiplexor network 6908. The IM server network 6902 is aninterconnected network of IM servers and the alert multiplexor network6908 is an interconnected network of alert multiplexors. Each IM serverand each alert multiplexor can directly or indirectly communicate andexchange information with all of the IM servers in the IM server network6902 and all of the alert multiplexors in the alert multiplexor network6908. Each of the alert multiplexors in the alert multiplexor network6908 is connected to several alert gates 6910 that receive differenttypes of alerts. In the implementation of FIG. 6, the IM server network6902 and the alert multiplexor network 6908 are interconnected by arouting gateway 6906 that serves as a common hub to reduce the number ofconnections.

A subscriber typically will be assigned to one IM server in the IMserver network 6902 and to one alert multiplexor in the alertmultiplexor network 6908 during a session based on one or more hashingtechniques. However, the IM servers and the alert multiplexors arecapable of storing subscriber information and other electronic contentthat may be accessed by the other IM servers and alert multiplexors. Inone implementation, for example, each IM server in the IM server network6902 may be dedicated to serving a particular set of registeredsubscribers. Because all of the IM servers can communicate with eachother, all subscribers can communicate with each other through instantmessaging. In another implementation, each alert multiplexor in thealert multiplexor network 6908 may be dedicated to storing informationabout a particular set or subset of alerts. Because all of the alertmultiplexors can communicate with each other, all registered subscriberscan receive all types of alerts. This networking arrangement enables theload to be distributed among the various servers in the IM host complex690 while still enabling a subscriber to communicate, share information,or otherwise interact with other subscribers and servers in the IM hostcomplex 690.

Referring to FIG. 7, a first client 702 a, a second client 702 b, and ahost 704 interact according to a procedure 700 to transfer one or morefiles. The procedure 700 may be implemented by any suitable type ofhardware, software, device, computer, computer system, equipment,component, program, application, code, storage medium, or propagatedsignal.

Examples of each element of FIG. 7 are broadly described above withrespect to FIGS. 1-6. In particular, the first client 702 a and thesecond client 702 b typically have attributes comparable to thosedescribed with respect to client devices 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 and 620and/or client controllers 125, 225, 325, 425, 525 and 625. The host 704typically has attributes comparable to those described with respect tohost device 135, 235, 335, 435, 535 and 635 and/or host controllers 140,240, 340, 440, 540 and 640. The first client 702 a, the second client702 b, and/or the host 704 may be directly or indirectly interconnectedthrough a known or described delivery network.

Each of the clients 702 a, 702 b is associated with a subscriber. Toallow file transfers, each subscriber sets certain preferences forpermitting files to be transferred to and from other subscribers. Forexample, a first subscriber may set transfer preferences governing whichscreen names or subscribers can send files to client 702 a. Likewise, asecond subscriber may set transfer preferences governing which screennames or subscribers and can send files to client 702 b. Typically, eachsubscriber will be presented with a graphical UI (“User Interface”) thatpermits the subscriber to select among various transfer preferences. Asubscriber's transfer preferences may be maintained locally or on thehost 704.

In general, the client 702 a and the client 702 b communicate over anopen connection, such as an open TCP connection established through thehost 704. Typically, both clients 702 a, 702 b include a Winsock API forestablishing an open TCP connection to the host 704 and a clientapplication for accessing the host 704. The client devices 702 a, 702 bconnect to the host 704 to establish the connection.

The clients 702 a, 702 b can use the connection to communicate with thehost 704 and with each other. The connection remains open during thetime that the first client 702 a and the second client 702 b areaccessing the host 704. To access the host 704, each client 702 a, 702 bsends a request to the host 704. The requests identify the associatedsubscribers to the host 704 and to other subscribers using thesubscribers' unique screen names. The host 704 verifies a subscriber'sinformation (e.g., screen name and password) against data stored in asubscriber database. If the subscriber's information is verified, thehost 704 authorizes access. If the subscriber's information is notverified, the host 704 denies access and sends an error message.

Upon accessing the host 704, the client 702 a receives a list of thefirst subscriber's “buddies” that are currently online (i.e., accessingthe host 704). Buddies are subscribers or screen names designated forexchanging instant messages. In general, the host 704 informs the firstsubscriber as to whether designated buddies are online or offline. Thehost 704 also informs any subscriber that has designated the firstsubscriber as a buddy that the first subscriber is online. The firstsubscriber can use an application running on the client 702 a (“theclient application”) to view the online status of particular buddies,exchange instant messages with online buddies, participate in group chatrooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, findother subscribers with similar interests, get customized news and stockquotes, and search the Web. Additionally, the subscriber can use theclient application to transfer one or more files to or from the clientdevice of another subscriber.

In one implementation, the first subscriber using the client 702 aselects to transfer one or more files to the client 702 b of the secondsubscriber. The first subscriber initiates the transfer by sending aconnect request to the host 704 (step 710). The connect requestincludes, for example, the message type, the screen name of the firstsubscriber, the screen name of the second subscriber, the IP address ofthe client 702 a, and a randomly generated security number. The host 704authenticates that the connect request from the client 702 a is from avalid subscriber using, for example, a reverse look-up table (step 715).Once the connect request is verified, the host 704 sends the connectrequest to the client 702 b of the second subscriber (step 720).

The client 702 b receives the connect request from the host 704 (step725) and then determines whether the first subscriber (i.e., the senderof the connect request) is allowed to connect (step 730). The client 702b then sends a message to the host 704 based on whether the secondsubscriber has selected to give the first subscriber permission toconnect. In the event that the first subscriber is not permitted toconnect, the client 702 b sends a refusal message to the host 704 (step735). The host 704 authenticates that the refusal message from theclient 702 b is from a valid subscriber (step 740) and then sends therefusal message to the client 702 a of the first subscriber (step 745).Upon receiving the refusal message, the client 702 a displays a messageto the first subscriber indicating that the connection cannot take place(step 750).

In the event that the first subscriber is permitted to connect, theclient 702 b sends an accept message to the host 704 (step 755). Thehost 704 authenticates that the accept file message from the client 702b is from a valid subscriber (step 760) and then sends the acceptmessage to the client 702 a of the first subscriber (step 765). Theclient 702 a receives the accept message from the host 704 (step 770),and then the client 702 b initiates the connection (step 775).

Referring to FIG. 8, the first client 702 a, the second client 702 b,and the host 704 interact according to a procedure 800 to initiate theconnection (step 775 of FIG. 7). The procedure 800 may be implemented byany suitable type of hardware, software, device, computer, computersystem, equipment, component, program, application, code, storagemedium, or propagated signal.

In one implementation, the client 702 b attempts to establish a directsocket connection (e.g., a peer-to-peer socket connection) to the client702 a using the IP address of the client 702 a (step 810). In somecircumstances, however, the client 702 b may be unable to establish adirect socket connection to the client 702 a, such as, for example, whenthe client 702 a is behind a firewall. In the event that the client 702b cannot establish a direct socket connection to the client 702 a aftera predetermined time period, the client 702 b sends a connect message tothe client 702 a through the host 704 (step 815). The connect messageincludes, for example, the message type, the screen name of the firstsubscriber, the screen name of the second subscriber, the IP address ofthe client 702 b, and a randomly generated security number. The host 704authenticates that the connect message from the client 702 b is from avalid subscriber (step 820) and then sends the connect message to theclient 702 a (step 825).

Upon receiving the connect message, the client 702 a attempts toestablish a direct socket connection to the client 702 b of the secondsubscriber using the IP address of the client 702 b (step 830). If,however, the client 702 a is unable to establish a direct socketconnection to the client 702 b, such as, for example, when the client702 b is behind a firewall, the client 702 a displays a messageindicating that the file transfer cannot take place (step 835) and sendsan error message to the client 702 b through the host 704 (step 840).The host 704 authenticates that the error message from the client 702 ais from a valid subscriber (step 845) and then sends the error messageto the client 702 b of the second subscriber (step 850). In response tothe received error message, the client 702 b displays a messageindicating that the file transfer cannot take place (step 855).

If a direct socket connection has been established between the client702 a and the client 702 b (in either step 810 or step 830), the client702 b verifies that the client 702 a includes a valid client applicationby, for example, verifying the security number of the client application(step 860). File transfer then proceeds according to the procedure 900illustrated in FIG. 9. The procedure 900 may be implemented by any typeof hardware, software, device, computer, computer system, equipment,component, program, application, code, storage medium, or propagatedsignal.

The direct connection bypasses the connection between the client 702 aand the host 704. In one implementation, the host 704 limits thecapacity of the connection to the client 702 a. As a result, the client702 a cannot transfer files larger than a threshold file size (e.g. 8000characters) through the host 704. In contrast to the capacity of theconnection between the client 702 a and the host 704, the capacity ofthe direct socket connection between the client 702 a and the client 702b is not limited. The client 702 a, therefore, may transfer relativelylarge files (e.g. graphics files, executable files) to the client 702 b.

After the connection is established, the client 702 b sends a connectedmessage to the client 702 a of the first subscriber (step 910). Theconnected message includes, for example, text indicating that the secondsubscriber is directly connected. The client 702 a receives theconnected message and then displays the connected message to the firstsubscriber (step 915).

After being notified that a direct connection has been established, thefirst subscriber may select and send a file to the client 702 b of thesecond subscriber (step 920). The file may be selected from anydirectory on the client 702 a or from any other storage location. Thefile may be any collection of data stored in any type of format.Examples include, but are not limited to, data files, text files,graphics files, audio files, and video files. The client 702 b receivesthe file from the client 702 a over the direct connection (step 925).Using the client 702 b, the second subscriber may open, execute, and/orsave the file. In one implementation, the file being transferred isopened, executed and/or otherwise displayed to the second subscriber inan instant messaging window.

After being notified that a direct connection is established, the firstsubscriber also may use the client 702 a to compose a message to thesecond subscriber (step 930). As the first subscriber composes themessage, the client 702 b indicates to the second subscriber that amessage is being composed (step 935). Because the second subscriberknows that the first subscriber is composing a message, the secondsubscriber will be less likely to interrupt the first subscriber. Thiswill facilitate exchanges between subscribers and allow conversationalcommunication.

After the first subscriber has composed a message, the first subscribersends the composed message to the client 702 b of the second subscriber(step 940). Using the client 702 b, the second subscriber receives thecomposed message from the client 702 a over the direct connection (step945).

FIGS. 10-16 illustrate examples of graphical user interfaces (“UIs”)that may be presented to subscribers. In general, a graphical UI will berendered on a subscriber's client device.

Referring to FIG. 10, a UI 1000 includes one implementation of apreference box 1005 for allowing a subscriber to set certain preferencesfor transferring files. The preference box 1005 includes a “Don'tDisplay Start” dialogue box 1010 to stop the start dialogue box (seeFIG. 12) from appearing. The preference box 1005 also includes a “Don'tDisplay Status” dialogue box 1015 to stop the status dialogue box fromappearing. In general, the instant messaging service will display thestatus of a file transfer by default. The preference box 1005 includes a“Use Alternate Internet Address” box 1120 to let the host use anotherinternet address if there is a connection error when running theoperating system software or using two network adapters.

The preference box 1005 also includes a field 1025 for setting certainpreferences when others issue a direct transfer command. For users onthe subscriber's buddy list, the subscriber can select to allow theusers on the buddy list to directly transfer files; to cause the clientto display a dialog box allowing the subscriber to accept or rejectfiles; or to specify that users in the buddy list cannot directlytransfer files. For users who are not in the subscriber's buddy list,the subscriber can select to allow the users to directly transfer files;to cause the client to display a dialog box allowing the subscriber toaccept or reject files; or to specify that users not in the buddy listcannot directly transfer files.

Referring to FIG. 11, a UI 1100 includes a screen name box 1105 forallowing the subscriber to designate the screen name of a subscriber towhom a file is to be transferred. In one example, the UI 1100 ispresented to the first subscriber. In order to directly connect to theclient of the second subscriber, the first subscriber enters the screenname of the second subscriber into the screen name box 1105.Alternatively, if the second subscriber is on the first subscriber'sbuddy list, the first subscriber can open an instant message to thesecond subscriber and click on a direct transfer icon.

Referring to FIG. 12, a UI 1200 includes a start dialog box 1200displaying a warning to the sending subscriber. The warning indicatesthat objectionable files may be transferred over the direct connection.The start dialog box 1205 includes a “Connect” button 1210 to proceedwith the direct connection and a “Cancel” button 1215 to abort thedirect connection.

Referring to FIG. 13, a UI 1300 includes an “Accept” dialog box 1305displaying a warning to the receiving subscriber. The warning cautionsthe receiving subscriber to recognize the sending subscriber. The acceptdialog box 1305 includes an “Accept” button 1310 to accept the directconnection, a “Reject” button 1315 to reject the direct connection, an“Ignore” button 1320 to ignore the request to directly connect, and a“Warn” button 1325 to warn the sending subscriber not to attempt furtherdirect connections.

Referring to FIG. 14, a UI 1400 includes a direct instant message box1405 presented to the receiving subscriber after the request to directlyconnect is accepted. The direct instant message box 1405 includes areading field 1410 for reading instant messages and a writing field 1415for composing instant messages. The direct instant message box 1405 alsoincludes a typing message 1420 and a typing icon 1425 indicating thatthe sending subscriber is composing a message. The direct instantmessage box 1405 also includes an insert file icon 1430.

Referring to FIG. 15, a UI 1500 is displayed when the subscriber selectsto insert a file into a direct instant message. The UI 1500 displays alisting of directories 1505 from which to select a stored file. The UI1500 also includes a file name box 1510 for entering the name of aselected file.

Referring to FIG. 16, a UI 1600 includes a direct instant message box1605. The direct instant message box 1605 includes a reading field 1610and a writing field 1615. The reading field 1610 includes an image 1620.In this example, a graphics file selected to be transferred is opened(i.e., displayed) in the direct instant message box 1605.

Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A communications method, the method comprising:accessing, from a memory device, a buddy list associated with a firstuser; determining, using at least one processor, that a second useridentified in the buddy list is online; establishing, based ondetermining that the second user is online, a direct electronicconnection between a first client associated with the first user and asecond client associated with the second user, wherein the directelectronic connection is maintained between the first client and thesecond client without a host system; and transferring digitalcommunications between the first client and the second client over thedirect electronic connection.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereindetermining that the second user identified on the buddy list is onlinecomprises determining that the second client is connected to a hostsystem.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the direct electronicconnection is a direct socket connection.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein the direct electronic connection is a peer-to-peer connection.6. The method of claim 2, wherein the capacity of the direct electronicconnection for transferring digital communications is not limited. 7.The method of claim 2, wherein the direct electronic connection isestablished based on a connect request sent from the first client to thesecond client.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the connect request issent from the first client to the second client through a host system.9. The method of claim 2, wherein transferring digital communicationsbetween the first client and the second client over the directelectronic connection comprises transferring at least one instantmessage from the first client to the second client.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: indicating to the second user that thefirst user is composing the at least one instant message prior totransferring the at least one instant message from the first client tothe second client over the direct electronic connection.
 11. The methodof claim 2, wherein transferring digital communications between thefirst client and the second client over the direct electronic connectioncomprises transferring at least one file between the first client andthe second client.
 12. A communications system, comprising: a processorconfigured to: access a buddy list associated with a first user;determine that a second user identified in the buddy list is online;establish, based on determining that the second user is online, a directelectronic connection between a first client associated with the firstuser and a second client associated with the second user, wherein thedirect electronic connection is maintained between the first client andthe second client without a host system; and transfer digitalcommunications between the first client and the second client over thedirect electronic connection.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein theprocessor is further configured to determine that the second useridentified on the buddy list is online based on the second client beingconnected to a host system.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein thedirect electronic connection is a direct socket connection.
 15. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the direct electronic socket connection is apeer-to-peer connection.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein thecapacity of the direct electronic connection for transferring digitalcommunications is not limited.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein thedirect electronic connection is established based on a connect requestsent from the first client to the second client.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the connect request is sent from the first client to thesecond client through a host system.
 19. The system of claim 12, whereinthe digital communications transferred between the first client and thesecond client over the direct connection comprise at least one instantmessage.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: indicate to the second user that the first user iscomposing the at least one instant message prior to transferring the atleast one instant message from the first client to the second clientover the direct electronic connection.
 21. The system of claim 12,wherein the digital communications transferred between the first clientand the second client over the direct electronic connection comprise atleast one file.
 22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includinginstructions for performing, when executed by a processor, a method ofcommunications, the method comprising: accessing, from a memory device,a buddy list associated with a first user; determining that a seconduser identified in the buddy list is online; establishing, based ondetermining that the second user is online, a direct electronicconnection between a first client associated with the first user and asecond client associated with the second user, wherein the directelectronic connection is maintained between the first client and thesecond client without a host system; and transferring digitalcommunications between the first client and the second client over thedirect electronic connection.
 23. The computer-readable medium of claim22, wherein determining that the second user identified on the buddylist is online comprises determining that the second client is connectedto a host system.
 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, whereinthe direct electronic connection is a direct socket connection.
 25. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the direct electronicsocket connection is a peer-to-peer connection.
 26. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the capacity of the directelectronic connection for transferring digital communications is notlimited.
 27. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein thedirect electronic connection is established based on a connect requestsent from the first client to the second client.
 28. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the connect request issent from the first client to the second client through a host system.29. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the digitalcommunications transferred between the first client and the secondclient over the direct connection comprise at least one instant message.30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, further comprisinginstructions for indicating to the second user that the first user iscomposing the at least one instant message prior to transferring the atleast one instant message from the first client to the second clientover the direct electronic connection.
 31. The computer-readable mediumof claim 22, wherein the digital communications transferred between thefirst client and the second client over the direct electronic connectioncomprise at least one file.